by

A Rotten Afternoon

slice-of-life_individual“So, please introduce yourself and say why you want to be in Writing Club.”

We worked our way around the circle.

“I’m here because I want to finish writing a story I started last year.”

“I’m here because I really like writing.”

Then a student started giggling and announced, “I’m here to write about Chicken Nuggets!”

Multiple students dissolved into gales of laughter. After order was restored, we continued. A student started to introduce himself by his given name, and his friend interrupted him, “No, you mean you’re Timmy!” she cried.

“Oh, yeah,” he said, “I’m Timmy!” and laughed maniacally.

“Chicken Nugget!!” another student called out, accompanied by more laughter from some, and confused and/or annoyed looks from others.

And so it went on.

I made it through the hour. Barely. I spent most of my time redirecting, reprimanding and regretting my decision to have an after-school Writing Club. My only bright spot was that somehow quite a few students actually wrote to the prompt and had something to show for their independent writing time. I have no idea how, given my largely unsuccessful efforts to lower the volume to a reasonable level.

Now I’m home, drinking wine, and regrouping. I didn’t have the energy to go to my own Writing Group, which made me even sadder and grumpier.

Sometimes you just have to tell it like it is.

13 thoughts on “A Rotten Afternoon”

  1. margaretsmn says:
    November 5, 2019 at 7:11 pm

    There are days like that, even in Australia. I hope you will keep at it. I know if these kids can leave behind their adolescent antics, they will actually learn something about themselves as writers. I have a group in the afternoons that often digresses into the sillies. Today they were looking up a kid’s IQ test on the internet. Ugh! Redirect. Regroup. Let’s refocus! The struggle is real!

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    • mbhmaine says:
      November 6, 2019 at 4:53 am

      Ha! Love the Australian reference. I will keep at it. I just need to decide how to proceed. I have a few ideas and will be consulting some friends/colleagues. After the lovely start to the last session, this was just disappointing and unexpected. It didn’t help that I’d been up since 3 am. Thanks for the support!

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  2. Susan Kennedy says:
    November 5, 2019 at 7:25 pm

    I’ve spent the better part of the last two weeks, working on a lesson by giving it in multiple classes, each time having it not quite go as I had planned. We don’t know what impact what we do, say, or allow will have as the students move along. tomorrow will probably be stronger.

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  3. Patty McLaughlin says:
    November 5, 2019 at 8:15 pm

    ☹️. Hope wine and unwinding help a little.

    Sent from my iPad

    >

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  4. Betsy Hubbard says:
    November 5, 2019 at 8:55 pm

    Sometimes you do. I hope it turns around and you feel more success but there will always be days and moments like these. Ugh.

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  5. Amanda Potts says:
    November 5, 2019 at 9:58 pm

    A glass of wine sounds like a good way to relax after that. But, hey, they came – they really did! And you’ll have a group of writers… someday… and maybe a joke about Chicken Nuggets – who knows? Ditto what Margaret said: “Some days are like that… even in Australia.” Hope the wine & a good night’s sleep chase away the grumpy.

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    • mbhmaine says:
      November 6, 2019 at 4:58 am

      Thanks for pointing out the bottom line positive–“they came.” I need to remember that even as I consider what changes to make. The good night’s sleep definitely improved my perspective–As does the fact that I have a day off for medical appointments tomorrow. (A physical and dental visit have never looked so good! lol) Thanks for the support!

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